100 best ski runs in the world

To make sure the snow hounds among us get equal treatment to the beach bums, we asked some of the world's top skiers, snowboarders and winter sports journalists to name their favorite ski run.

Our panel included Andrew Weibrecht, Olympic medalist and U.S. ski team member; John Stifter, editor at U.S. ski bible Powder magazine; Mike Douglas, the godfather of free-skiing and creator of the world's first twin-tip ski; and Nicola Iseard, editor of the UK's top ski magazine, Fall Line.

They helped us come up with this list of some of the world's most exhilarating ski runs.

Difficulty evaluations for each run were provided by the respective resorts and reflect a mix of rating systems.

While the resorts of Europe and North America understandably dominated the list, the novelty factor of skiing in some of the world's lesser known ski destinations resulted in a few less predictable recommendations.

The resort is one of the world's most bizarre places to ski or snowboard -- there's just one chairlift but locals often opt for a donkey ride to the top of the ungraded runs, the majority of which start from the peak of Jebel Attar.

A steep mogul field, Grande Combe offers the best terrain at the resort.

Watch out for: The donkey ski lift.

Rating: Ungraded

85. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Zermatt, Switzerland

Getting to this run involves a ride on the lift of the same name, one of the highest cable cars in Europe.

Through the tunnel near the lift's exit you emerge to spectacular views over the Matterhorn.

"Whispering Jesse incorporates terrain shifts, detours through widely spaced glades and outstanding grooming as it makes its way down from the top of the Big Burn," says snow sports journalist Kristen Lummis.

"After traveling to the far corner of the resort and up the Supreme lift, a really short sidestep puts you on top of a long run with more options and features than I've seen anywhere else," says Brody.

"It's that one run that will stick out in your memory, and you'll look back on it with pride."

"There's no better piste than the one used for Meribel's World Cup Downhill course," says Dave Edwards, CEO of the British Ski and Snowboard governing body.

"It's fast, long and at its best early morning, just after it's been groomed. I like to get up there early and watch the sun come up over the mountains and see the course come out of shadow and into sunlight as the racers inspect the course."

The favorite run of Marion Josserand (ski cross bronze medalist in Vancouver 2010) can be found at a tiny resort in the French Alps.

"My top slope is Casse Rousse, 1,700 meters above sea level," says Marion. "It's very long and located in a hidden part of the ski resort, so it's never busy. Because of its north face, the snow is always fresh and good.

"When you're on this run, it feels like you're in own private powder utopia," says Atomic skier Chris Benchetler. "The final part is a perfect, well-protected, north facing slope, with great terrain and trees to wind in and out of."

"Sparks Lake is my all-time favorite run," says Ross. "It's reminiscent of a downhill course: twists and turns, steeps and flats, jumps and banked turns, I still love flying down that run at full-speed -- there's no better feeling in the world."

"At the top you get an insane view down the canyon all the way down to valley floor," says pro skier Julian Carr, world record holder for the highest invert ever performed (translation: a very big jump).

"Once you drop in, it's steep and sustained good times all the way to the bottom, legs-a-burning, straight to the Sitzmark bar for a tasty beverage."

There's only one ski resort in South Africa and that ski resort has just two (ungraded) runs, but Tiffindell makes it onto our list simply because the resort's location, in the shadow of Mount Ben McDuie, is breathtaking.

Dynastar World Cup Ski Racer Dominique Gisin loves the first run he ever skied.

"My favorite slope in the world is called Rotegg and it's part of my home ski area, Titlis in Engelberg," says Gisin. "It's the first black slope I skied as a kid. It's a steep and impressive couloir that connects the glacier to the rest of the ski area.

"There are big bumps all over the place. I think that's why I was never that impressed with all the tough courses in World Cup."

This double black run is short (just 150 meters) and scary. It's been called the world's scariest slope by several publications, including USA Today.

"Corbet's Couloir is one of the best measuring sticks for expert skiers in the world," says pro skier Griffin Post. "A 15-foot drop gives way to a several-hundred-foot, 40-degree powder run. Although it's a breathtaking drop, the reward (survival) is well worth it."

"One of my favorite runs is the World Cup Downhill run in Cortina, Italy," says Pamela Thorburn, a member of Great Britain's ski-X team. "The Dolomites are the most beautiful mountains in the world and the run goes straight down past the famous Tofana Shute."

Watch out for: Fur-clad local women who tackle this run while taking a call on their diamond-studded phones.

A popular heli-skiing destination, Las Lenas also has one of the world's longest ski runs.

Courtesy Las Leñas

Famous for its black ratings and also a popular heli-skiing destination, this resort has one of the world's longest ski runs, an unnamed descent made up of three intermediate-level runs: Cenidor, Marte and Mercurio.

At 15 miles long, it's widely regarded as one of South America's best runs.

New York's Whiteface Mountain and the Skyward run have unbeatable views over the snow-dusted forests of the Adirondacks.

"Skyward is one of my favorite runs because it's steep, wide open and for my money you can't beat the view anywhere in the world," says Andrew Weibrecht, Super G bronze medalist at the 2010 winter Olympics.

"This French ski run is deceptive," says Fall Line magazine editor Nicola Iseard.

"On paper it doesn't look that exciting -- a long blue piste that starts at the top of the Marquise chairlift.

"But, when it comes to letting your skis run fast on a sunny, often empty slope -- crowds in Sainte Foy are rare -- it seems to go on forever. It gives access to some awesome off-piste sections through the trees, too."

"Glen's will always have special significance as it was renamed last year after Glen Doherty, the Navy SEAL who was killed defending the U.S. consulate in Benghazi in 2012. Prior to joining the SEALs, Doherty spent a lot of time at Snowbird, and was a beloved member of the community."

Watch out for: Unexpected steep stretches that have caught many skiers and snowboarders unaware.

"My favorite run in the world is The Stash," says Becky Menday, a member of Great Britain's Freestyle Snowboard Team. "It takes you through the trees and has fantastic natural wooden features for you to session all the way through it."